Southern California -- this just in

Morning Scoop: Crime plunge, red-light revenue, Damon’s dream

December 24, 2009 | 9:59
am

Good morning from the City Desk, where we're trying to hold off on the visions of sugarplums at least until we put out the paper. Some California stories from today's edition to help sustain you through the day:

Crime plunge: Crime in Los Angeles County dropped again in 2009, even in this bad economy. Homicides are down to levels not seen since the 1960s.

Damon's dream: Sacramento columnist George Skelton tells the story of Damon Dunn, the former football player who wants to be California secretary of state.